31203
W. Britain
Through the ages, music has been used in the military to issue commands in the camp and on the battlefield. Without the metronomic sound of the drums on the march or the plaintive call of the bugle at taps many a soldier would be unsure of what to do next. Just as important, if not more so, is the use of music in keeping up the morale of the troops. Most of a soldier's life is spent in camp, not in battle. During those long restless periods the field musicians would be tasked with entertaining the troops either formally or informally at camp in the evening hours.